According to general conventions Hardoi District is related with “HIRNAKASHYAP” its present name Hardoi is a distorted version of its earlier name “HARIDROHI”. In view of some people this district was colonized by Hardevbaksh and jsut because of this reason there is an old locality Hardevganj exists in the city. Mallawa, Bilgram, Phani, Shahabad, Sandila & Ruiyaa are the places of historical significance. According to some historians Mallawa was colonized by Buddhists while some beliefed that Sayyed Salar Masood Gazi came here. Earlier this area Mallawa was district Headquarter. The ancient name of Bilgram is „SRINAGAR” its present name Bilgram was given by some associates of Mahmood Gajnavi. Pihani is derived by persian word Pinhani (Place of Shelter), it is believed that king of Moughal dynasty Humayun took shelter in the forest of Pihani when he was defeated by Shershah Suri. Pihani is also related with the minister Sadarejahan of Emperor Akbar. His tomb and paintings are still here. According to the view of some people, Sandila was colonized by Rishi Sandilya. Sandila is also famous for old buildings, mosque & Barakhamba.

Hardoi district from geographical point of view its falls in between 26053‟ & 27042‟ N North latitude and from 80007‟E & 80012‟E longitudes. The district is situated in Lucknow Division. Hardoi district is contiguous of Shahjahanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri districts on the north., Lucknow and Unnao districts on the south, Kanpur and Farrukhabad districts on the west and Sitapur district on the east. Hardoi is located at 110 km. from Lucknow (Capital of Uttar Pradesh) and 394 from New Delhi (Capital of India). The total geographical area of the district is 5947 km squire.

It has an average elevation of Template: Covert. The record height is 500 ft. Hardoi district had 5 km of dense forest and 13 km of open forest. The Ganga, Ramganga, Gomti and several tributaries of river Ganga are flowing in the Hardoi district. Average rain in the district approximate 941 mm. General climate of the district is healthy and pleasant. The district stretches from North to South for 125 Km. and from east to west approximately 75 Km.

Existing States of Industrial areas in the district Hardoi. As given in the following table, MSME industries across the sectors of food/agro-based industries, repair & servicing, wood, metal, apparel, chemical, leather, engineering etc. are the key economy drivers of the district. Ready garments and embroidery contribute most in terms of employment and revenue, which is approximately 26% and 8% respectively. Repairing and Servicing contributes ~15% to revenue, highest among all the enterprises and ~19% of work force is employed in this vertical. Apart from the other services and job work, Ready-made garments, and Embroidery sector of MSME in the district is the most prominent and economy contributing sector of the district. Out of total population of 4,092,845 (2011 census), 1,318,946 are working population. Out of total working population, 68.99% are working in other industries, 24.54% are cultivators and agricultural labourers and only 6.47% are household industry workers. This indicates that agriculture is the main source of income in the district.

The total export from Hardoi is approximately INR 612.02 Crore for the period September 2020 to November 2021. The following table depicts the value of export of seven major products from Hardoi:

The State Govt has identified the Handloom product for industrial promotion under ODOP Scheme and hence same has also been identified for export promotion. Mallawan Town in the district of Hardoi is major cluster contributing 80% of total production. Other prominent centers of Handloom Production are Gausganj & Kazipur. There are ~5000 weavers/workers associated with manufacturing of handloom products in Hardoi district. The total market size of the handloom products manufactured in the district is estimated to be ~INR 70 crore per year. The key consumer markets of handloom products manufactured in Hardoi district are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra (Mumbai), and Madhya Pradesh (Bhopal).

Types of handloom products manufactured in Hardoi district are shirting fabric, lungi, towel, gamcha, white than (yardage or bolt) and handkerchief. The shirting fabric is made of cotton and polyester cotton yarn. All the other handloom products are made of cotton yarn. The handloom industry in Hardoi produces products such as shirting fabric (about 60%), lungi, towel, handkerchief, gamcha, white fabric for pajama & shirts, and duster cloth. It is produced mainly in the areas of Mallawan, a small town in Hardoi district and at present confined to villages of Gausganj and Kazipur. Sandila has units for textile, but they make medical bandages on power looms.

The outreach of the Hardoi handloom products is confined to few Indian markets only owing to limited product portfolio, old designs, outdated technology, and comparatively high dependency on agents in Kanpur. Cotton and polyester cotton yarn are the raw materials used for manufacturing handloom products sourced from Kanpur. The following are the key products manufactured in the cluster. ;

The process for obtaining district specific GI tag for handloom products of Hardoi is yet to be initiated.;

No major industry association specifically for Handloom products. Though other industry associations are present in the district to cater to the needs of industries.;

The following table lists the HS codes under which the products are exported from the district:;

The export scenario of India and Uttar Pradesh have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS codes mentioned above under which handloom products are exported. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product codes.;

► The total export of handloom products from Hardoi district is very less but have the potential to be export hub for handloom products like Towel (Gamcha), Lungi, handkerchief etc.
► The cluster has tremendous export potential, but owing to lack of proper market assessment mechanism, changing design patterns, specific demand preferences, the export is very less.
► Hence, it was pointed out that the proper study of the foreign market, region specific demand patterns to be ascertained. Along with that, a common platform to be created where there can be an integration between the exporters and importers, thereby making the export ecosystem robust and effective.
► Following HSN codes were mentioned for the product. –
Product 5208: Uttar Pradesh exports this product to Bangladesh, Korea, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Nigeria, Sudan, Nepal, Gambia, UAE, USA. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (5208) in the world:

Product Diversification is one of the most crucial product uplifting strategies which in turn is an important part of a product’s export. This plays a vital role in any products exports as it is a product uplifting strategy. Most artisans are not bothered about changing their product range and they fail to understand that it is an integral part of comprehensive marketing. Diversification can be brought in the cluster by:
1. Development of a new products: The artisans of the district should be encouraged to diversify the product categories and must be provided with enough resources to create innovative products. The artisans going forward should focus on creating home furnishing products other than shirts, towel, Lungi etc. 2. Modifications of Existing Products It has also been found that most of the artisans use no strategy for making modifications to the existing products in the light of design and fusion. The artisans can make fusion products by blending handloom work with some other prints.

The state is a leading producer in agriculture products like rice, wheat, sugarcane etc. The economy of the cluster is heavily dependent on agriculture products. Approximate Export turnover of the Rice and Sugar wheat is INR 170.83 Cr and INR 186.88 Cr respectively.

Rice: Any rice other than Basmati Rice is named as non-Basmati rice. In the world it has been reported that there are over 10,000 varieties of rice and out of which the maximum number are in India. Sugar: Currently, about 110 countries produce sugar from either cane or beet, and eight countries produce sugar from both cane and beet. Sugarcane, on average, accounts for 80% of global sugar production. Last October/September season the major sugar producing countries (India, Brazil, EU-28, Thailand, China, USA, Russia, Mexico, Pakistan, Australia) accounted for nearly 70% of global output.

Rice: Multiple varieties of rice exist including short-grain, medium-grain, and long-grain varieties. Sugar: Sugar crops offer production alternatives to food, such as livestock feed, fibre, and energy, particularly biofuels (sugar-based ethanol) and co-generation of electricity (cane bagasse). Sugarcane is regarded as one of the most significant and efficient sources of biomass for biofuel production. A wide range of environmental and social issues relate to sugar production and processing, and sugar crop growers, processors, plus energy and food companies, are seeking ways to address concerns related to sugar production, biofuels, and sustainability. ;

► Input
► Farmers
► Seed Supplier
► Financial Institutions
► DIEPC
► Agriculture Department
► Krishi Vigyan Kendra
► Research Institutions
► Exporters
► MSME DI/DGFT/FIEO

5.3.1 Industry Associations (Rice and Sugar) Following are principal Industry Associations that are working for the development of Rice:
► Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
► Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
► Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research (IISR)
► National Sugar Institute, Kanpur
► Agriculture Department
► Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)
► Indian Industries Association (IIA)
► Rice Export Promotion Forum (REPF)
► Participatory Rural Development Foundation (PRDF) - PRDF is a Gorakhpur based philanthropic organisation founded Dr. Ram Chet Chaudhary, a leading Agri-scientist working for the benefit of farming community of North India
► International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) - world’s premier research organization dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations
► National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack (NRRI) - The National Rice Research Institute is located in Cuttack in Odisha state. The basic objective of institute is to conduct basic, applied, and adaptive research on crop improvement and resource management for increasing and stabilizing rice productivity in different rice ecosystems with special emphasis on rainfed ecosystems and the related abiotic stresses
► U.P. Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR) - The UPCAR is an autonomous apex state organisation registered as a society, which plans, co-ordinates and promotes research, education, training, and transfer of technology for advancement of agriculture and allied sciences. The UPCAR was established on June 14, 1989, with its headquarters at Lucknow. ;

The following table lists the HS codes under which the products are exported from the district:;

The export scenario of World and India have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS code 100630 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed) under which non-Basmati rice is exported from Hardoi district. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code. ;

World sugar trade averages about 64 mln tonnes/year. Raw sugar accounts for around 60% of internationally trades volumes. Although many countries produce sugar, top five exporters (Brazil, Thailand, EU, Australia, India) were responsible on average for 70% of the world trade in 2016-18. Brazil, as the largest producing and exporting country in the world, dominates world trade, accounting for about 45% of global exports. Indonesia, China the United States were world’s largest importing nations in 2018. The export scenario of World and India have been analysed basis the export statistics of HS code 170114 (Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter) & 170199 (Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form (excluding cane and beet sugar containing added flavouring or colouring and raw sugar) under which Sugar is exported from Hardoi district. Alongside are the key facts pertaining to the analysed product code.;

1. Rice: HS Code 100630 (Semi-milled or wholly milled rice, whether or not polished or glazed)
► The total export of product from Hardoi district as per HS code 100630 is around INR 170.83 crores for the period September 20 to November 2021.
► India's exports represent 36.28% of world exports for this product, its ranking in world exports is 1.
► India exported this product to Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Yemen, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal etc. Below figure shows the top importers for this product (100630) in the world:
2. Sugar: Product 170114 (Raw cane sugar, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matter) & 170199 (Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form (excluding cane and beet sugar containing added flavouring or colouring and raw sugar
► The total exports of product from Hardoi district as per HS code 170114 & 170199 are around INR 186.88 crores in the period September 20 to November 2021.
► India's exports represent 4.6% for HS Code 170114 and 16% for HS Code 170199 of world exports for this product, its ranking in world exports is 3 & 1 for respective HS codes.
► India exported this product to Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Yemen, China, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, USA, Nepal etc.

5.6 Potential Areas for Value Added Product Rice: Product Diversification is one of the most crucial product uplifting strategies which in turn is an important part of a product’s export. Currently, only the grains of rice are being sold directly in the market. Knowing the health benefits of the product an initiative can be made for product diversification to manufacture value added products such as chiwda, poha, brown rice, rice noodles, idli & dosa batter.
The broken rice can be used to create flour. Rice flour is gluten-free; therefore, it is an alternative for producing gluten-free products. Rice flour is also hypoallergenic. Thus, it can be utilized for producing baby food, puddings, and other food products. Due to the decreased risk for people with sensitivities, food companies prefer rice flour to other varieties of flour. Thus, it is economically justifiable to grind broken rice to produce flour for such applications. With adequate upgradation of technology in the cluster the farmers/ millers can sell by-products and generate additional income by manufacturing by-products from Rice Husks, Brans and Straws; the following are their uses: